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So if you’ve been following along, we just reviewed the details about Birth Control Facts and everything you’d need to know about Hormonal Contraceptives. Now is the time to dive into the details about natural, barrier and permanent methods of birth control!
All “failure rates” listed in the following articles come from the Centers for Disease Control and take in consideration the “user-error” failure. That means the chance that the contraceptive won’t work, but also taking into consideration failure based on people using it wrong.
Barrier
Male Condoms – are the most common barrier form of birth control. And condoms are the only form of birth control on the market that prevent pregnancy AND spreading STDs!
Pros: The absolute best is that condoms prevent against stds and is a birth control – no other contraceptive does both. There are a few condoms out there that have different kinds of spermicides or lubricants already in them. There are some condoms that provide a “cool” or “warm” sensation. And another benefit is condoms are pretty cheap.
Cons: While all of that is great, the failure rate is pretty high so I’d suggest using a second form of birth control also. I also think it’s a pretty common feeling {not for every couple} but most people think it reduces sensation.
Failure Rate: 18%
Female Condoms – this one is a condom for women! haha obviously. If you’ve never seen one imagine two plastic rings and a plastic tube connecting those two rings. So it lines the vagina with a ring on each end. The top ring is closed – to block sperm from entering the cervix, while the bottom ring is, well, obviously open.
Pros: you place it yourself so it gives you more control over your birth control than say the male condom.
Cons: I’ve never tried them but I’ve heard from friends that female condoms make a funny sound and they are really awkward to put in. Also, they aren’t as effective as the male condom, but if you want to remain in control female condoms aren’t a bad option.
Failure Rate: 21%
Diaphragm – also known as the “cervical cap”. This looks like one of those toppers if you use to play with those. Anyway, it’s a dome shaped cap that you put in the vagina that is supposed to stop the sperm from entering the cervix. You have to have this one made/prescribed by a doctor but once you have yours it will last two years. You put it in and take it out, it doesn’t stay in there the full two years. You obviously have to take it out for your period.
This one costs anywhere around $10 – 75.
Pros: This one is great because it doesn’t have hormones! So if you are sensitive to the additional hormones {like me} this is a good option.
Cons: It isn’t the most effective birth control option so it is recommended that you use a secondary birth control as well. Some women say they feel it during sex, but not everyone. It is common to get vaginal infections or UTIs if you use the diaphragm.
Failure Rate: 12%
Spermicides – I’ll just say now you shouldn’t rely on spermicides alone; but if you choose to supplement your birth control option with spermicide they come in a few options – gel, cream, film, tablet, suppository, or foam. You put it in your vagina no more than an hour before sex then you have to leave it in for at least 6 – 8 hours after se.
Pros: They can be purchased at drug stores and don’t require a prescription. They are a good supplement to another form of birth control. I haven’t used them and I didn’t see a whole bunch of good reviews online so I’m not sure what else is positive about them. . .
Cons: You have to have it in an hour before having sex. I don’t know about you but I typically don’t plan my sex that way… but to each their own. They aren’t super effective so you have to use it with something else too.
Failure Rate: 28%
IUD
These happen to be my favorite type of birth control. There are two different kinds – the Mirena or the Paragard. There are a few differences between them, and there are some side effects you should be aware of if you are choosing an IUD. And with anything, there are a few IUD risks that you might want to read up on as well.
Pros: the biggest positive is that they are super effective, and after the doctor inserts it you don’t have to worry about it for a long time {like years}! And as soon as you get it removed you can get pregnant again {unlike the shot}.
Cons: It’s common to have cramping with both types of IUDs, but you can read more about that here.
Failure Rate: 0.8% for Mirena {hormonal one} and 0.2% for the Paragard {copper one}
Natural
Fertility awareness is the most common “natural” birth control method. In order to prevent getting pregnant you monitor your period on the calendar, watch cervical mucus, and monitor your body temperature. All are ways to monitor when you are fertile and obviously when you aren’t fertile. This article has a really great visual and detailed description.
Pros: It’s natural; no hormones, no shots, no plastic, no prescription or monthly payment. Just your natural body’s cycle. You don’t have to remember any pill or device of any sort.
Cons: I feel like this is not a reliable birth control option; I don’t think it’s affective enough on it’s own. I understand that “to each their own” but I just never felt comfortable with calendar method. I would say at minimum you should at least add “withdrawl” if you are going to use this method, but that’s just my 2 cents.
But anywhoos, if you do try this method you’ll just have to be very commited to monitoring your cycle. The reason for that is because women actually ovulate on a different day of every cycle and sperm stay alive for up to six days after sex so it can be a challenge to monitor all of those factors. But if you are in tune with your body then it’s a great natural method.
Failure Rate: 24%
Abstinence – obviously this is a sure proof way to guarantee no pregnancy. No sex = no baby. I think that’s pretty understandable.
Pros: well if you are certain you don’t want a baby, you can guarantee it with abstinence
Cons: well this doesn’t work out for the majority of couples. If you don’t have sex in a marriage then you start to feel like two roommates. It is a natural drive in humans to have sex. It was programed in us by God for procreating. It’s natural to want it, and it a marriage it is essential to connect that way.
Permanent
Sterilization: Tubal Ligation – you can either get surgery to cut/tie/block the fallopian tube. This would prevent the egg from entering your uterus, which in turn prevents pregnancy. Or you can get a nonsurgical tubal ligation which is preformed by a doctor inserting a small coil into the fallopian tube.
Pros: it’s permanent. So if you are certain you won’t be having any more kids, this is a permanent, reliable form of birth control. The other positive thing about a tubal ligation is it doesn’t change the woman’s hormone levels and there are a few studies that show it may lower your risk of ovarian cancer.
Cons: it’s permanent. haha so that can be a con to some people. If in fact you do decide you want kids the reversal surgery is very risky, very expensive and is not guaranteed that it will even work. Also since it is a surgery/procedure it does involve small risks. The fallopian tubes often rest on other organs such as the bowel and bladder so there is a risk that these could be damaged during the procedure. Other small risks such as pelvic pain or reactions to the pain killers are also common concerns.
Failure Rate: less than 1%
Sterilization: Vasectomy – is the male version of a permanent contraceptive; what is considered a minor surgery to cut the male tubes which carry the sperm from the testicle.
Pros: this procedure is less risky for men {vs the surgery for women}. Vasectomies are almost 100% affective. There is an incredibly low chance {something like 1 in 1,000 men} actual have the tubes grow back.
Cons: I have read a few places that vasectomies may increase the risk of prostate cancer. This procedure is also very expensive.
Failure Rate: less than 1%
Now if you haven’t already, make sure to check out the details on hormonal contraceptives!
